Heading and Heeling: No Harm, No Foul

Everybody who starts roping has to decide whether he (or she) wants to be a header or a heeler. You can look at any of the top ropers in the world, and they can head and heel. They have their dominant end, but most can rope both ends competitively. In fact, some of the top ropers could switch ends if they wanted to, and have. Guys like Speedy Williams, Mark Simon, Trevor Brazile and J.D. Yates have made it to the Finals at both ends. Then there are the guys who've calf roped and team roped, like Joe Beaver, Trevor and Dee Pickett. In my eyes, you really can do it all if you're a competitor, a horseman and pretty handy with a rope.